Ayurvedic Diet – Should You Be on It?

If you are a fitness geek, you must have heard the term “ayurvedic diet”. The diet has risen to fame in recent years despite being centuries old. Experts estimate that ayurvedic medicine will become a $10 million industry by the year 2022. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, nearly 24000 Americans are already using ayurvedic diets and health remedies as a part of their healthcare routine. Many have also noted that this diet can boost fertility and increase sexual prowess.

However, if you are completely new to the world of natural foods and therapy, i.e. Ayurveda, and are wondering what is an ayurvedic diet, we have some answers for you.

What is Ayurvedic Diet?

Ayurveda is basically a type of holistic lifestyle that focuses on a balance between the mind and the body. Along with this, use of healthy foods deemed good for you and the use of ayurvedic herbs is encouraged.

If you look closely at the principles of Ayurveda, you will find the essential belief that the universe is made of five key elements, namely Vayu (air), Jala (water), Akash (space), Teja (fire), and Prithvi (earth). These elements come together to create three doshas. These three different doshas are basically the different types of energies that flow through your body. Each dosha has control of several specific physiological functions. For example, the Vata dosha controls the electrolyte balance in the body, Kapha dosha encourages joint function, and the pitta dosha controls matters of thirst, hunger, and temperature control.

Ayurvedic diet is a part of Ayurveda that encourages people to find their dominant dosha and eat foods that are best suited to that dosha. The diet also encourages people to consume foods that promote a balance between these three doshas. Diets rich in ayurvedic herbs are also encouraged.

Understanding Doshas

Before you begin an Ayurveda diet, knowing your dosha is very important. Here are some of the things that can help you figure out your dosha.

• Pitta (fire + water)
  People belonging to this dosha have a medium built, short temper, and have issues such as indigestion, hypertension, and heart disease. They can be intelligent, decisive, and extremely hard working.
• Vata (air + space)
  Such people have a very light frame and suffer from issues such as anxiety, fatigue, and stomach problems. These people are energetic, lively, and creative.
• Kapha (earth + water)
  People with this dominant dosha have a sturdy frame, can gain weight easily, and have issues such as depression, asthma, or diabetes. They can be calm in tough situations, are loyal, and extremely guarded.

Generally, people are encouraged to eat according to their dominant dosha. People with pitta dosha are encouraged to eat energizing foods such as nuts, seeds, and spices. People with Vata dosha should eat moist, warm, and grounding food and avoid bitter herbs, raw vegetables, and dried fruits. People of Kapha dosha should, on the other hand, eat diets rich in vegetables, legumes, and fruits.

All doshas should eat wholesome, healthful foods and avoid red meat, processed ingredients, and artificial sweeteners.

Ayurveda and Pregnancy Planning

Ayurveda and pregnancy planning go hand in hand for people who have been following the principles of this ancient diet. In Ayurveda, importance is given to the sexual health of both genders, and a special focus is placed on the mother as she prepares for pregnancy, through pregnancy, and after she gives birth. That is one of the special qualities of this wholesome diet.

Ayurvedic remedies are encouraged for people who are unable to conceive. Along with this, ayurvedic remedies may also provide help in treating reproductive health issues such as low sperm count, PCOS, etc.

The first step is to be with a partner that complements your dosha. This alone can mean peace of mind, a balance of personalities, and in-sync thought processes. All these traits put people at ease and help conceive a child with greater ease.

The ayurvedic way of conceiving encourages women to start preparing at least three months before they desire to become pregnant, as the egg takes three months to mature and the sperm takes four months to generate. The first step is to detoxify your body, called ‘Panchakarma’. This is achieved by internal cleansing based on your dominant dosha.

Once the body is clean, it can be nourished with the help of a balanced ayurvedic fertility diet, tonics, and fertility-enhancing herbs. Some of these herbs include Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania sominfera), and Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis). Ashwagandha benefits strengthens the uterus and even promotes semen production. Many of these herbs are readily available as ayurvedic food supplements. One such supplement is the Ayurvedic Fertility Booster.

An important part of the ayurvedic fertility diet is the Chyvanaprash, which is an elixir made of 40 different types of herbs, honey, and ghee. It is used to promote strength, fertility, and immunity. Other foods that can be good for you at this stage are cloves, nutmeg, ghee, milk, date smoothies, asparagus, cardamom, saffron, and spices such as cumin, turmeric, and ajwain. You can find fertility-boosting Ayurvedic tonics and ayurvedic food supplements, easily at your trusted natural health supplements store online Whole Family Products, in the market or over the internet.

Ayurveda Diet for Weight Loss

Along with a healthful diet, the Ayurveda principle also dictates that losing excess weight may also help you conceive. An Ayurveda diet for weight loss includes the use of Triphala (a herbal mixture of three superfruits), Guggul (dried resin of Mukul myrrh tree), Kalonji (black cumin), Vijayasar (Pterocarpus marsupium), Punarnava, aloe vera, lemon honey, cabbage horse gram, pepper, and ginger garlic lemon.

There are other ayurvedic ways that can also help you lose weight. These include practicing meditation, being mindful of what you eat, eating the largest meals during the day and not at night, sipping lemon water when you wake up, exercising, and sleeping well. These principles are not only based on Ayurveda, but modern scientific research also embraces them as excellent ways to reduce weight and stay healthy.